IU sweeps Butler in dramatic fashion

The IU softball team swept a double header Tuesday from Butler University at the IU Softball Field behind 31 strikeouts from senior pitcher Morgan Melloh.  

While Melloh held the Bulldogs to two earned runs, the Hoosiers needed some late-inning heroics to keep their winning streak alive.

They got exactly that from freshman Meaghan Murphy, who hit a two-run walk-off home run to notch the 4-2 win.

The Hoosiers’ victory snapped a seven-game win streak for the visiting Bulldogs.

This left IU with a six-game winning streak, its longest win streak since winning nine in a row in 2007.

IU coach Michelle Gardner said the recent win streak includes multiple factors but most of all, the team is gaining confidence.

“We’re not staying in a hotel room, we’re growing as a team, we’re finding a way to win a game even when we give away a couple of runs. I think we found a way when our shortstop went to down to keep playing and not fall apart,” Gardner said. “I think there are a lot of things playing into it, and I think a big part of it is they are starting to believe they can win.”

Melloh won all six games on the Hoosiers homestand, striking out 67 batters in only 39 innings, including five double-digit strikeout performances.

Melloh said the team is hitting its stride at the right time and playing at home in front of its home crowd has been a big factor in that.

“We have a lot of parents that it’s not a far drive for them. My parents it’s only an hour and 30 minutes away and we have kids from Illinois and I don’t see a big difference but we have been doing well all around,” Melloh said.